Project Playhouse 2007 View the student’s progress

The students of the Building Industry Technology Academy (BITA) at Katella High School in Anaheim are well into their journey to HomeAid Orange County’s Project Playhouse 2007. With help from BIA/OC members, the playhouse materials and countless volunteer hours from the design team and consultants have been donated to make this entry a true success.

These pint-sized creations built to stand 10 feet wide, 8 feet deep and 10 feet tall are dream houses for playtime, and the BITA students have been constructing their playhouse is called, Lulu’s Diner. As one of the 11 entries, their structure is modeled after traditional 1950’s restaurants and includes state-of-the-art materials, features and aesthetics. The playhouse even is ‘green’, using a solar panel and LED lighting. Instructor John Puckett is extremely pleased with the amount of work and dedication the students have put into this project, “the kids are involved in every step of the process. They are eager to learn and are enjoying the experience of getting all their ducks in a row for completion”.

The school is holding a special summer class to finish the house on deadline for the fall because during the school year, the students only get 45 minutes of actual work time per day. To maximize efficiency, the BITA class is divided into four groups of five-six students who are responsible for a specific section of the structure. Senior Jillian Gonzalez is an integral part of the entire process as she is responsible for checking the materials received against the plans. She is one of the many students participating in the summer session said, “I cannot wait to see the finished product. It will be good to see our work on display at the event”.

BITA and BIA/OC would like to thank Architectural Product Resource, PermLight, KTGY Group, Suntrek, Nordic Structures, Urban Arena, Steel Framing Alliance, CAL PAC Sheet Metal, VanDorpe Chou Associates, DRI, RSI and JPS Surface Solutions for their contribution to the first BITA Project Playhouse entry.

In partnership with the Home Builders Council, the Trade Contractors Council, Anaheim Union High School District, and the Regional Occupational Programs, BITA commenced during the 2002-2003 academic year. The intent was to develop a construction program aimed at producing skilled professionals who will be qualified to enter the home-building workforce. The program has been incorporated into the curriculums of two high schools in Anaheim (Katella and Western) and Valencia High School in Placentia is taking the necessary steps to adopt the BITA program.
The BITA curriculum is a four-year program (Freshman through Senior year) that teaches high school students in-depth construction knowledge and skills training by providing hands-on construction assignments, mentoring, professional presentations and field trips to active construction sites. Students experience every facet of residential construction, including site preparation, framing, electrical, plumbing, and roofing and more.

Members of the BIA/OC have donated over $600,000 in labor and material to convert two Anaheim School workshops into premier, construction academy facilities. To make a donation and improve the chances of students already committed to success please use the following form. Thank you.
BITA Donations